QDMA Launches Deer Hunting 101 YouTube Series for New Hunters

ATHENS, GA – Whether you’re repairing home appliances or skinning a deer, YouTube has become the search engine of choice for beginners and do-it-yourselfers, and QDMA is there for new and aspiring deer hunters. A new YouTube series, QDMA’s Deer Hunting 101, went live in October with how-to videos that provide all the reliable information a new hunter needs for success.

“The adult hunters we are recruiting through our Field to Fork program tell us they use YouTube as a how-to resource.” said Hank Forester, QDMA’s Assistant Director of Hunting Heritage Programs. “I wanted QDMA to respond to those searches with reliable, accurate information about whitetails, hunting techniques, and preparing venison for the table. Now you can just hit play on your phone and quarter your deer as you watch.” Read more

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s partners with the National Wildlife Federation and YMCA to launch youth Outdoor Adventurers in 13 cities

HOUSTON – Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s today announced Outdoor Adventurers, a nature-based education initiative aimed at introducing the wonders of the outdoors to kindergarten through fifth grade students from urban areas across the United States. The program, in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation and YMCA, will launch Outdoor Adventurers in Atlanta, Chicago and Houston this year with plans to expand to 13 American cities over the next three years.

The three year-long Outdoor Adventurers program will engage more than 7,800 children and their families, providing educational outdoor experiences designed to help kids develop a lifelong appreciation for nature. Planned activities are designed to ensure all children have access to outdoor recreation opportunities they might not have the chance to experience such as fishing, hiking, wildlife observation, kayaking, archery, exploration and more. Read more

onX Offroad Launches iOS App

All-new app makes it easier than ever for iOS users to discover dirt roads and trails on public lands

MISSOULA, Mont. – onXmaps, Inc., the industry leader in outdoor mapping technology, announced today the availability of an iOS version of the onX Offroad App, which became available on the Google Play Store earlier this year. The app can now be downloaded on the Apple App Store. onX launched the new iOS app at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas.

onX Offroad comes from onX, the leader in mobile mapping technology for outdoor adventures and the provider of the popular onX HUNT App. The new app was designed for offroaders and includes mapping of more than 985 million acres of public lands and over 240,000 miles of roads and trails, with trail-specific open and close dates and track width restrictions. The app also features mapping for over 54,000 campsites and campgrounds, weather forecasting and a robust set of GPS features, making onX Offroad a must-have app for any motorized enthusiast. Read more

Michigan Natural Resources Commission to meet Thursday in Lansing area

Hunting opportunities at Yankee Springs State Recreation Area, a discussion on visitor and use trends at state parks, an order to regulate target shooting at Lapeer State Game Area and presentation of the department’s hunter safety education 40-year teaching awards are just some of the agenda items for the next meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission Thursday, Nov. 7, at the west campus of Lansing Community College, 5708 Cornerstone Drive, in Delta Township. All sessions will take place in conference rooms M119-121. Read more

Michigan: veterans invited to take part in preference waterfowl hunt draws

Fall is one of the best times of the year to enjoy Michigan’s natural areas, and the state’s many hunting seasons offer even more reasons to get outside. Veterans or active-duty military personnel looking for some amazing hunting experiences at DNR-managed waterfowl areas are invited to take part in this month’s veterans preference hunt drawings.

The drawings will take place Nov. 10, 11 and 12 for properly licensed resident, active-duty U.S. military personnel and veterans. For entry requirements, check out the rules in the 2019 waterfowl digest.

To be eligible for the drawings, individual hunters must be active-duty military personnel or veterans; group hunters must have at least one member in their party who is active-duty military or a veteran. All hunters also must possess a waterfowl license and a federal duck stamp. Read more

USDA Program to Provide Up to $50 Million to Expand Hunting/Fishing Access

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make up to $50 million available to help create or expand state government and tribal programs that encourage landowners and land managers to allow public access to their land for hunting, fishing and other wildlife-dependent recreation. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals through November 27 from state governments and tribes for the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP).

“These projects are excellent examples of how we engage in public-private partnerships, uniting both public and private entities to deliver long-term conservation benefits that the public, outdoor enthusiasts, wildlife, landowners and land managers may experience,” said NRCS Chief Matt Lohr. “With more than 70 percent of the lower 48 states being privately owned, this program enables landowners and land managers to benefit from offering public access to their land.”

Only state governments and tribes are eligible to apply. Projects can last up to three years. The maximum amount for a single award is $3 million.

Highlights of the new VPA-HIP funding opportunity include:

  • Up to 25 percent of the funding for each award can be used to provide incentives to improve habitat on enrolled public access program lands.
  • Landowner participants must follow NRCS practice standards for any habitat improvement activities. This requirement can be waived if an awardee provides sufficient justification.
  • State governments and tribes can request up to 10 percent of program funds for technical assistance.

Additionally, the Farm Bill included a new provision that requires NRCS – to the maximum extent practicable – to invest $3 million of VPA-HIP funding to increase public access on lands covered by a U.S.-held wetland easement. This includes lands enrolled in the former Wetland Reserve Program or the Wetland Reserve Easement Component of the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. Read more

Kopfjäger’s Ambush Rest Kit

(MANSFIELD, TEXAS) – Eliminate fatigue and beat buck fever: Kopfjäger’s obsessively engineered Ambush Rest Kit is designed to reduce fatigue, improve safety and fill tags, providing rock-solid support for your favorite rifle in your deer stand.

The Kopfjäger Ambush Support Assembly (KJ85005) is a patent-pending stabilizing arm designed to mount effortlessly to the interior wall of your box blind. Used in conjunction with Kopfjäger’s Reaper Grip and a bipod (sold separately), the Ambush’s innovative design frees up valuable space in your deer blind, eliminating the need for a tripod or shooting stick. The Ambush combined with a Reaper Grip gives shooters of all ages and capabilities the confidence they need to make a precise shot. Though the Ambush is a useful tool for all hunters, it is especially practical for young, elderly and disabled hunters, due to its load-bearing qualities and ease-of-use.

The Ambush Shooting Rest Kit (KJ85005K) comes complete with a bipod and Reaper Grip Rest. The Reaper’s curved grip anchors your rifle to the rest and is angled to secure both tapered and straight stocks. The Reaper Grip’s patent-pending hinge block boasts pan rotation and tilt range of a combined 109 degrees (21 degrees up and 87 degrees down). Read more

Mepp’s Calls for More Squirrel Tails

Squirrels are a plentiful natural resource. Plus, squirrel is some of the best wild meat and their skins are used for caps, coats, glove linings and many other items, but the tail is usually thrown away. Mepps® is asking you to help them recycle this valuable resource, AND, they’re offering to reward you for your efforts!

Mepps buys fox, black, grey and red squirrel tails and will pay up to 26 cents each for tails, depending on quality and quantity. Plus, the cash value is doubled if the tails are traded for Mepps lures.

Mepps® needs squirrel tails to create hand-tied, dressed hooks for their world-famous, fish-catching lures. They’ve been recycling squirrel tails for over half-a-century. Read more

Deer Hunting Then and Now

By Glen Wunderlich

Sitting in a treestand last week, as the sun began its daily disappearing act, I couldn’t help but think how deer hunting has changed over the past 50 years. Never have the opportunities for successful hunts been better. We have far more deer and far more means to take home some nourishing venison and here are just some of the reasons.

* We now have more deer seasons than ever before beginning in September and running through December.

* The practice of Quality Deer Management has had a dramatic effect on the ability of deer to grow larger and healthier. Recent statistics show that the take of older deer has increased – a true testament to the popular approach.

* The internet and Google Earth were yet to be invented. Years ago, if a hunter did not scout an area before heading afield, luck had more to do with success than anything else. Today, not only do we have satellite views of the land, but we can share information more readily with text, pictures and videos.

* Trail cameras did not exist – and, when they hit the scene, we had to get the film developed to see what we had been missing. Today, not only can we view photos and videos from our relatively inexpensive trail cams, if we have cell phone service in an area, we can view live action – all from the comfort of our homes or offices.

* Crossbows have exploded onto the archery scene and for good reason: They are simple and effective. Sure, traditionalists can still use their recurve bows, but many in the aging hunting community would have given up by now without the laws permitting crossbows.

* Firearms and ammunition are more refined and purpose-built. The time-tested .30-30 Winchester has taken a back seat to more effective choices. And, with the ability to use straight-wall cartridges in Michigan’s Zone III (the old shotgun zone), more effective choices are available across the state.

* Ammunition has been refined to include more aerodynamic bullets and cleaner burning powders. With concern about lead in the environment, copper bullets have become readily available in factory loads and are just as effective – if not more so – than lead.

* Optics are superior. A hunter can choose low-end glass that’s better than anything of yesteryear. Fancy reticles with built-in range compensating features, and even laser rangefinding technology, can take the guesswork out of longer shots – that is, if the operator can factor in the wind conditions.

* Portable blinds not only conceal hunters and their inevitable movements, but they can be warmed with modern propane heaters. And, those stinky, fuel-fired hand warmers have been replaced with throw-away chemical packages.

* ATVs are everywhere, and although their use is somewhat limited on state land, they’ve opened up areas that otherwise would be inaccessible. And, when it comes to transporting game in the field, they’ve taken the drag out of dragging.

One thing that hasn’t changed all that much over the years is the fact that hunters must still pay those dues afield. And when one chooses to do so, and that heart begins to pound relentlessly, it’s still deer hunting.

Kopjäger Tripod Kits

(MANSFIELD, TEXAS) – Recently acquired Sellmark brand, Kopfjäger, is set to release four tripod kits—Reaper Grip with an aluminum or carbon fiber tripod and a Reaper Rail with an aluminum or carbon fiber tripod. Kopfjäger’s obsessively engineered products are designed to reduce fatigue and enhance mission-, competition- and hunting-oriented shooting in all conditions by stabilizing your firearm.

The K700 Heavy Duty Tripod is crafted of a sturdy aluminum material and features 3-leg extensions with locking levers and can withstand a maximum weight capacity of 25 pounds. The rock-solid K800 Carbon Fiber Tripod boast 4-leg level extension, 3-position angle locks, twist leg locks, can withstand a max weight of 20 pounds allowing you to adjust the tripod to your comfort.

Included with the tripods is the dependable class Reaper Grip. The heavy-duty aluminum grip system features smooth 360° pan rotation with 21° up and 87° down tilt, user-friendly locking, adjustable, offset grip and protective padding to prevent scratches on your firearm. Reaper Rails boast a Picatinny rail instead of a locking grip with effortless 360° pan rotation with 21° up and 87° down tilt. Read more

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